The old Taoist chuckled twice: "Hahaha, my lady, you do know how to joke."

No one openly boasts about having tried to harm their own husband.

The old Taoist named Huang Renjia had arrived in this small village a few days ago and been performing rituals for several days.

He personally saw this charming madam carrying a young man into the village.

Fraudulent Taoists like them, who know only some underhanded tricks, have no real skills.

In the bustling areas of the Capital, commoners can see through his abilities at a glance.

As such, he can only stay away from the prosperous Capital and trick some uneducated women in this remote mountain village to make a living.

By performing a few small tricks and spouting some esoteric talk that people have never heard before, he can fool them completely.

They willingly offer their money.

If it were only about swindling money, that would be one thing, but Huang Renjia also has a restless thieving nature.

If he spots a pretty young farm girl,

he mostly finds a way to lure her into bed under the guise of exorcising demons.

He claims it’s to bless his body with divine light, filling them with fortune.

His glib tongue always manages to coax some ignorant, poorly educated women into willingly complying.

From the moment he saw Shu Ci a few days ago, this old Taoist felt restless.

Oh my!

He’s usually eating wild greens and clear broth, who would have thought such a stunning beauty could be found in this godforsaken place.

He has always preferred married women and can read faces.

Unlike Aunt Wu, he doesn’t naively believe that she and Baili An are mother and son.

Clearly, there isn’t the slightest resemblance between them.

He already guessed that the two most likely eloped to avoid marriage.

Those sons of noble families raised in opulence often look sickly and are probably quite useless in every way.

When he unexpectedly overheard this enchanting lady complaining about her husband’s inadequacy, wasn’t this the opportunity he’d been waiting for?

Seeing this beauty’s naturally seductive and charming eyes studying him intently, Huang Renjia felt as if half his bones had turned to jelly.

His eyes practically glued to Shu Ci’s ample bosom.

His thumb unconsciously rubbed his wrist, struggling to contain his excitement, trying hard to maintain his composed demeanor, he said with a smile:

"I see in your brow signs of excessive fiery nature, the lines from your temples indicative of nobility, yet hollow beneath the surface.

I suspect you have a deficiency of yang energy, and your young husband lacks inherent vigor.

No matter how willing you might want to engage, I fear he lacks the vitality to satisfy you, am I right?"

Though she found his words rather arcane and cryptic, Shu Ci didn’t understand them at all.

Seeing her vacant gaze, the old Taoist was secretly delighted, thinking to himself this beauty must come from humble beginnings, inexperienced in the ways of the world.

This makes her even easier to fool.

He flicked his horsetail whisk, smiled lightly, and said: "From what you said just now, you want to take good care of your young husband at home.

According to this old Taoist, he lacks the necessary strength, even if you forcefully try to satisfy yourself, you’re likely just left hanging in frustration."

Shu Ci understood these words, and they really hit home for her.

"That’s exactly right, he’s just too inadequate, the last time we barely started and he couldn’t continue, it’s so frustrating."

Hearing this, the old Taoist grew even more contemptuous of Baili An.

But seeing this lady chatting with an old Taoist like him about such matters without the slightest concern for the reservedness a woman should have.

She must be an experienced seductress, his heart thirsting unfulfilled.

The old Taoist could hardly contain his glee, he couldn’t help but step forward, ready to take her hand, laughing:.

"Home food is good, but it’s hard to fill your stomach. My lady, perhaps consider trying something different for a change, perhaps rustic flavors have their own appeal?

This old Taoist is humble, after cultivating for forty-five years and practicing energy enhancement, today meeting my lady is truly a delight.

I offer myself willingly, if you desire, to fill your need, maintain the balance of yin and yang, and relieve your inner anguish."

Shu Ci raised her eyebrow, looking quite surprised at this old Taoist.

Forty-five years of cultivation isn’t much in her eyes.

But his willingness for self-sacrifice and dedication, she truly wished Baili An could learn a thing or two.

If that boy had even half the initiative this Taoist had, she would probably laugh herself awake in her sleep.

The old Taoist eyed Shu Ci’s graceful figure as he spoke.

The thought of having an intimate encounter with such a beauty made him a little too pleased with himself.

Seeing him smile, Shu Ci was confronted with two rows of yellowed teeth crusted with plaque beneath his thin lips.

The foul smell hit her nose, and her sharp fox senses caught it at once.

At such a close distance, Shu Ci felt like two thick, rotting three-day-old scallions drenched in soy had been shoved up her nostrils, making her tear up and snot all over.

She quickly stepped back several paces, avoiding the old Taoist’s bony hand.

She covered her mouth and nose with her sleeve, choking back a couple of dry heaves.

"No, no, though the lad’s a bit troublesome to savor and keeps me waiting anxiously, he’s truly a rare treat.

Even though I’ve been hungry for a long time, I’m not that desperate.

With how shriveled you’ve become, bitter and tough to chew, I really can’t bring myself to try, I’d better wait for him to recover, right?"